Men's room. He was examining the reflection of the tired, even exhausted man in the mirror. The last weeks were killing. Too much... He tried to force a smile. No one should notice, no one should know what was happening inside him under this good-looking, self-confident shell.
At last he controlled himself and put on his carefree smile. The sound of the opening door made the man turn his head:
-Oh.. Ziva. I see, you like attending this place, don't you? – smiling, he soaped his hands.
-I've been searching for you, Tony. .Are you ok?.. - she looked concerned.
-What've made you think, I'm not? – Tony tried to sound carefree.
-Sorry if I'm mistaken.. But aren't you the one who's just been discharged? – Ziva tried to decipher the truth in his eyes, but his look was unreadable. Tony shifted his eyes back to the lavabo, flushing his hands carefully:
-Never mind, the director can't be mistaken, that's our policy. I've screwed up because of another folly of mine. This is the justice itself. Once you let somebody down, you must work hard to deserve his credence again, - he stood with his hands leaned on the lavabo edge, his voice calm, and no more smile on his face.
-Saleem's escaped. But it's not your fault. It's just an insidious hit-men's plan. Gibbs will prove it!
-It doesn't matter anymore. I'm tired of all of this and I guess it's the fact even Gibbs can't change…
Ziva answered nothing. She knew what he was driving at. She knew.. But she had no words for him. She still wasn't ready to reveal the forbidden truth. Rule number twelve. Never date a co-worker.
Tony broke the silence.
- Have you accepted the proposal? – He caught her reflection in the mirror.
-No... – She answered.
-Will you? – asked Tony, his eyes fixed on hers through the mirror.
-Don't know …yet…
-Of course you don't, - there was a hint of sarcasm in his every word.
-What's your point? – Ziva reacted. She felt like she had to defend herself.
-Here we are again.. – Tony tiredly rolled his eyes.. – The same that we were seven years ago. Too stubborn to admit..
-Don't say anything you will regret of saying, - she interrupted.
Something inside him had just broken into pieces.
No one should notice, no one should know. Especially you.
-You're right, my Israeli ninja..- Tony gave her his usual carefree DiNozzo smile.. – It's just the another folly of mine, - he added sadly, opening the door out.
